The Mets’ search for a new general manager is heating up, with the team receiving permission to set up interviews with White Sox assistant GM Rick Hahn and Red Sox assistant GM Allard Baird next week.

The team also will meet with former Arizona GM Josh Byrnes, who was fired in July. Byrnes worked under Theo Epstein in Boston.

They are the first formal steps the Mets have taken in their attempt to replace Omar Minaya, who was relieved of his duties Monday.

The team is likely to try to interview MLB’s Sandy Alderson, but that has not been set up yet. The Mets also need permission from the league to speak with Alderson, who helped construct the successful A’s teams of two decades ago, but that is not expected to be an issue. Alderson is running the league’s overhaul of baseball operations in the Dominican Republic.

Alderson, who has worked with the Padres, could provide John Ricco, the Mets’ assistant GM who took on the interim head role, a mentor. Ricco is remaining with the team and could get the head job down the road.

Baird had mixed results with the small market Royals. Currently, he is an assistant GM with the Red Sox.

Hahn has interviewed for GM positions before and is considered to be one of the best young candidates around. He also went to the University of Michigan, Mets owner Fred Wilpon’s alma mater.

Both Alderson and Hahn have been considered to be on the Mets’ short list since there has been an opening, and Byrnes was viewed as a possible replacement, despite his ouster in Arizona.

Another long shot candidate is Texas GM Jon Daniels, who grew up in Queens as a Mets fan.

Before the Rangers beat the Rays, 6-0, to take a 2-0 lead in the ALDS, Daniels did not comment on the rumors, saying only “I’m focused on the Rangers right now.’’